Surprise is a key element in successful raids, but pirates also rely on speed and violence to ensure success. Usually, six to ten pirates attack when the fewest number of crew are awake (10 pm-6 am). If the target isn't at anchor or in port, they approach the stern in small high-speed boats and use grappling hooks to board. They prefer portable goods and cash so they can "hit and run." Their weapons of choice include automatic rifles and knives, although they will use any object that can be fashioned into a weapon. Their "treasure" includes clothing, rope, drugs, cigarettes, computers, VCRs, credit cards, and televisions. They attack tankers (25%), cargo ships (23%), bulk carriers (13%), container ships (11%), fishing boats (16%), and coastal vessels and yachts (12%). (Captain Kellerman, Worldwide Maritime Piracy)
Where do they prefer to prey? Not the United States. Our Coast Guard and Navy pursue pirates who attempt to board vessels in our waters and local law enforcement deals with those who rob berthed ships. The hot spots according the IMO's 2000 first and second quarter reports are the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Malacca Straits. In 1998, the countries with the greatest number of attacks were Indonesia (consistently high number of reports since 1991), the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Brazil, Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Somalia/Djibouti. (Captain Jayant Abhyankar, Deputy Director of ICC International Maritime Bureau, An Overview of Piracy Problems, 1999)
Depending on the region in which pirates operate, their attacks can be classified in one of several ways.
- "Asian" piracy is the popular modus operandi of pirates in Southeast Asia and the Far East. They approach the intended target in high-speed boats after dark inside the territorial waters of various countries, and steal cash and valuables from the crew and ship's safe. Pirates involved in boarding a ship underway possess a high degree of skill. They are rarely violent unless provoked by the victims. In 1999 five armed and masked pirates boarded the Vira Bhum off Sumatra. They stole $2,348 and other items from the master, $2,500 in cash and valuables from four other crewmembers, and walkie talkies and binoculars before disembarking.
